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Accused dog strangler gets a year in jail for separate animal cruelty incident

Rita Mueller, who remains in pretrial custody for dog strangling charges, was found with 29 dogs in poor condition in her home.

Rita Mueller, 50, is still in pre-trial custody awaiting her trial on allegations that she strangled a dog. She has been convicted of animal cruelty charges in connection with the 29 dogs she kept at her home in filthy conditions.
(TORONTO POLICE HANDOUT)

While still in pre-trial custody on accusations that she hanged a dog, a self-described dog rescuer from Caledon was sentenced to a year in prison and banned for life from keeping pets, for a separate incident in which she kept dozens of dogs in filthy conditions in her house.

Rita Mueller, 50, was also ordered to pay the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals $16,537.03, in restitution for the costs incurred in caring for dogs seized from her home.

In handing down the year-long sentence, Justice of the Peace John Farnam went beyond the three-month recommendation made by both the prosecution and defence, said Mueller’s lawyer, Adam Goodman.

“It’s excessive,” he said. “I’ve never seen a justice go above … a joint position by such a magnitude.”

On a tip, the OSPCA searched Mueller’s house in Caledon in September 2011. Inspectors found 29 dogs “in poor living conditions, flea ridden, some having poor body conditions, and overgrown nails,” according to an OSPCA statement.

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Mueller was charged with five counts of animal cruelty. Three counts were later dropped.

“We are encouraged to see animal welfare taken seriously in the eyes of the law,” said OSPCA chief inspector Connie Mallory. “No animal should ever have to suffer at the hands of an irresponsible owner.”

Mueller’s son, Michael, 30, was also fined $2,500.

Goodman intends to appeal the verdict.

Mueller accepted responsibility for her actions and explained that she was running a dog rescue and got in over her head, Goodman said. Mueller’s previous lawyer, Lenny Hochberg, had stated in court that Mueller suffers from mental health issues and lives off social assistance.

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